After pondering for a moment, Yang Cheng prepared to nod in agreement.
Twenty percent of the military expenditure was about his bottom line. Being able to receive the same treatment as the Wuwei Army meant that, at least in the eyes of the court, Yang Cheng's importance was no less than that of Dugu Cheng.
Most importantly, the number of people in the Zhenwu Hall is much smaller than that of the Wuwei Army.
The Zhenwu Hall trains elites, and this military budget is enough for the Zhenwu Hall warriors to live very comfortably.
Just then, the emperor's father-in-law, Zhang Xuansu, suddenly said, "Wait, I still have some doubts."
I agree with giving 10% of the military expenses of the Wuwei Army to the Zhenwu Hall, but giving another 10% to the Zhenwu Hall would be a waste, wouldn't it?
Sixty percent of the taxes from our Great Zhou Dynasty are used for military expenses. What is this if not militarism and a waste of resources?
As far as I know, the Zhenwu Hall doesn't seem to have that many people, right? One-tenth of the military budget is enough for them; is there really a need to add another ten percent?
Zhang Xuansu wasn't doing this on behalf of Dugu Cheng; he had no connection with Dugu Cheng. He was simply reluctant to give up that one-tenth of the tax revenue.
In his view, since his grandson had become the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the money of the court was also the money of the Zhang family.
During this period, Zhang Xuansu had even monopolized a portion of the business that belonged exclusively to the Ministry of Revenue, making a fortune but still not satisfied. He even had designs on the imperial taxes, wanting to find an excuse to make a quick buck.
At this critical moment, Zhou Deyuan actually wanted to increase Yang Cheng's taxes by 10% as military expenses, which really pained him.
Yang Cheng stared at Zhang Xuansu, expressionless, and said, "Do you know how many branches and strongholds my Zhenwu Hall has outside, and how many brothers are fighting to the death for the Great Zhou?"
Warlike expansion? Do you even know the current state of the Great Zhou?
The Golden Horde and the Jurchens of the North were eyeing the country covetously, while the Thirty-Six Great Bandits and the rebels of the Great Bright Sect rose up everywhere.
The entire Great Zhou Dynasty is like a sieve; a hole might appear any day, and the capital city would immediately be engulfed in war!
Now you're telling me about militarism? Without military force, how will you suppress these rebels and enemies? With your mouth?
Who do you think you are, daring to spout such nonsense here? You're utterly absurd!
Yang Cheng wouldn't give this so-called father-in-law any face. After a few words, Zhang Xuansu's face turned red. He pointed at Yang Cheng, wanting to curse him, but under Yang Cheng's piercing gaze, he couldn't utter a single word.
Grand Tutor Cai and the ministers present all secretly felt a sense of satisfaction.
They had been putting up with Zhang Xuansu for a long time, but they couldn't afford to turn against him because of his status.
At this moment, Yang Cheng's words were incredibly satisfying. You, a merchant who rose to power through your daughter, are not even as good as a county magistrate who studied hard. What right do you have to spout nonsense here?
Seeing her cousin being rebuked, Empress Zhang's expression also turned somewhat displeased.
"Grand Commander Yang's words are a bit excessive. Marquis Anguo is only thinking of the court."
Yang Cheng looked at the Emperor and Empress Dowager Zhang expressionlessly and said calmly, "The Marquis of Anguo is thinking of the court, but I, Yang Cheng, am greedy and want to seize the court's taxes."
So what exactly do His Majesty and the Empress Dowager mean? Do they not want to give my Zhenwu Hall military funds, or do they think my Zhenwu Hall is not worth such a large amount of military funding?
In the main hall of the imperial court, Yang Cheng did not display much of his imposing presence.
But along the way, he has been a leader, killed countless people, and witnessed higher levels of power, comparable to gods and demons.
What did Empress Dowager Zhang and her son amount to in his eyes? The emperor and empress dowager? Not even a peep!
Yang Cheng's mere gaze was enough to make them panic.
King Zhao, Zhou Deyuan, sighed and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager."
A person cannot stand without integrity, let alone a court.
The old minister suggested allocating 20% of the military budget to the Zhenwu Hall, which would be absolutely beneficial to the Great Zhou Dynasty at present.
"I urge Your Majesty to prioritize the overall situation."
Zhou Deyuan's words gave the Empress Dowager and the Emperor a way out.
Empress Dowager Zhang quickly nudged Zhou Yuan, who immediately replied, "Then let's do as Your Highness says."
Yang Cheng stood up and said calmly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Cheng turned and left, a gesture that infuriated Zhang Xuansu, who gritted her teeth in anger.
Grand Tutor Cai followed Yang Cheng out of the palace, saying behind him, "Grand Commander, you've really offended that Imperial Father-in-law this time. He'll definitely hold a grudge against you."
Yang Cheng scoffed: "Hold a grudge? He doesn't deserve it. If you, Grand Tutor Cai, were to be held a grudge by him, would you be afraid?"
Grand Tutor Cai smiled and shook his head: "Of course I'm not afraid."
Cai Yan had dominated the officialdom for decades, with countless protégés and former subordinates, and his spies were everywhere in the court and the countryside. Zhang Xuansu was nothing to him.
Even if he was the emperor's father-in-law, there was nothing that could be done about him.
If Cai Yan wasn't afraid, then Yang Cheng certainly wasn't.
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